The NFL Draft was always full of surprises, but actual magic tended to occur once Round 1’s glory began to wear off. Day 2, when Rounds 2 and 3 quietly move forward by comparison, has given birth to some of the league’s biggest stars. These players had been overlooked numerous times before they wound up in their present locations and became familiar names.
These guys didn’t surpass expectations as much as reduce them to ashes. From clutch Super Bowl performances to rewriting the record books, these five Day 2 draft steals proved that talent can fall through the cracks, but greatness never remains hidden for long.
From Overlooked to Legendary: 5 of the Greatest Day 2 Picks
Travis Kelce—No. 63 Overall (2013 NFL Draft, Kansas City Chiefs)
When the Kansas City Chiefs selected Travis Kelce late in the third round out of Cincinnati, few saw him becoming perhaps the greatest tight end in NFL history. Injuries kept him from realizing his full potential as a rookie. However, when healthy, Kelce was a key figure in Andy Reid’s high-powered offense.
Kelce has redefined the tight end position with his combination of elite route running, hands, and spatial awareness. As of the 2024 season, he has totaled over 11,200 receiving yards, second amongst tight ends to Hall of Fame member Tony Gonzalez.
He has had nine seasons with 1,000-plus yards, the most in the NFL for any tight end, and has been elected to eight Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pro units.
More than just numbers, Kelce has been a cornerstone of Kansas City’s dynasty, leading the franchise to three Super Bowl titles. “He’s the best to ever do it,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said in 2023. “And the crazy thing is, he keeps getting better.”
Davante Adams—No. 53 Overall (2014 NFL Draft, Green Bay Packers)
Second-round draft pick from Fresno State, Davante Adams, wasn’t immediately able to bloom in the NFL. But by season three, Adams was one of the most accurate and explosive wide receivers in the league. Alongside quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, Adams became a touchdown factory and one of the league’s most feared route artists.
Between 2018 and 2022, Adams averaged 1,374 receiving yards and nearly 12 touchdowns annually. Six consecutive Pro Bowls and three first-team All-Pro selections came as a result of that span. When the Raiders traded him in 2022, he didn’t bat an eye, earning a franchise-record 14 receiving touchdowns during his first year with his new team.
“I wanted to prove I was better than a No. 53 pick,” Adams told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Now, I’m trying my best to prove I’m one of the best ever.”
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Jalen Hurts—No. 53 Overall (2020 NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles)
When the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Hurts in the second round, the majority of fans and analysts were stunned. The team had recently signed quarterback Carson Wentz to a massive contract extension. But what seemed like a confounding insurance policy turned out to be one of the franchise’s smartest decisions in recent times.
Hurts became the starter in 2021 and exploded in 2022, leading the Eagles to a 14–3 record and a Super Bowl appearance. He was the NFL MVP second-place finisher, throwing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns and running for 760 yards and 13 more TDs. Admired for his resilience, leadership, and poise, Hurts was the first quarterback in franchise history with 10 or more rushing TDs in three consecutive seasons.
“He’s a dog,” center Jason Kelce told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “That guy just finds a way to win.”
Joe Montana—No. 82 Overall (1979 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers)
Despite winning a national championship at Notre Dame, Joe Montana fell to the third round in the 1979 draft due to concerns over arm strength and longevity. San Francisco’s Bill Walsh took a chance, and it was a move that changed the franchise.
Montana emerged as the 49ers’ dynasty symbol of the 1980s with four Super Bowl victories and three Super Bowl Most Valuable Player awards. Legendary for remaining so cool under fire, Montana guided 31 career fourth-quarter game-winning drives and retired with 40,551 passing yards and 273 touchdown passes. His reputation as one of the all-time great clutch quarterbacks remains unrivaled.
“There is a moment in every game when it’s all about poise,” Walsh explained. “And no one ever had more poise than Joe Montana.”
Steve Smith Sr.—No. 71 Overall (2001 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers)
At just 5’9″ and a home-state boy, Steve Smith Sr. was criticized by analysts in the 2001 NFL Draft as being too small and polished. The Carolina Panthers saw differently: fire, toughness, and raw talent. They drafted Smith in the third round, and soon all critics were silenced.
Smith had the NFL lead in receptions (103), yards receiving (1,563), and touchdowns (12) in 2005, becoming the third player in history at the time to capture the receiving triple crown. He concluded his career with 14,731 yards receiving—eighth all-time in 2024—and 81 touchdowns. His tough playing style, workhorse mentality, and confidence characterized a generation of receivers.
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“I wasn’t there to stay,” Smith said in his Hall of Honor speech. “But I appeared anyway—and I made you feel me every Sunday.”
These five legends prove that NFL Draft Day 2 is not all about depth chart filling—it’s where teams get to strike gold. Their careers serve as a reminder to every underutilized prospect: draft position doesn’t define your legacy. How you play does. These players weren’t just good “for where they were drafted”—they set the bar for their positions.
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